The Indiana Pacers have waived center James Wiseman, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto. The move comes less than four months after Wiseman re-signed with the team on a two-year deal that included a team option.
Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has played five seasons across the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, and Pacers. Over his career, he averaged 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 18.9 minutes per game across 149 appearances.
During his brief 2025–26 season with Indiana, Wiseman played in one game, logging 20 minutes and recording four rebounds and four points against the Grizzlies. The Pacers’ decision was aimed at opening a roster spot to sign guard Mac McClung.
Wiseman’s career started with promise in Golden State, where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game as a rookie. He later had stints with Detroit, posting 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in the 2022–23 season across 24 games.
Despite flashes of potential, injuries and inconsistent playing time have limited Wiseman’s impact. In his most recent season with the Pacers, he appeared in only two games, totaling 24.6 minutes on the floor.
The waiver leaves Wiseman as a free agent, giving him an opportunity to sign with another team. Indiana, meanwhile, now has flexibility to bolster its backcourt with McClung, who the team signed immediately following Wiseman’s release.
